December 18/09 19:07 pm - TransRockies 2010: Back to Where it All Began

Posted by Editoress on 12/18/09

In 2002, the first TransRockies rolled out of Fernie, BC bound for Canmore, Alberta, nearly 600 kilometres and 7 riding days away. Roughly 100 pioneers headed out into the unknown in North America's first multi-day epic mountain bike race. At the time, they couldn't know that the TransRockies would change the face of mountain biking in North America, spawning a host of multi-day epic imitators and attracting thousands of competitors from all around the World.

Supported by Travel Alberta, the TransRockies is returning its origins in 2010 with a brand new route from Fernie to Canmore through the most spectacular scenery in North America. Run by the best and most experienced event team in the business, the 2010 TransRockies is going to set the new standard for multi-day biking events, with a revised 400 kilometre continuous route through the high Canadian Rockies that includes the most singletrack, the biggest mountains, the best and most complete rider support, and a host of new event services like shuttles to local towns and later start times.

TransRockies was the first to bring the epic format to North America, and in 2010 we're going to raise the bar again for epic mountain bike adventure. TransRockies IX opens with a time trial around the iconic mountain biking destination of Fernie, BC before heading North and East to Elkford, the highest incorporated community in Canada. Stage 3 takes riders up and over the Continental Divide and across the border into Alberta where four days of riding on the legendary trails of Kananaskis Country await. Overnight stopovers include scenic wilderness campsites and two authentic Western ranches.

On the stages Stage 5 and 6, riders spend two immense Rocky Mountain days with with epic ridgeline riding on the spine of the Rockies. The ultimate Stage sees riders tackling a sweet singletrack ride along the TransCanada Trail to Canmore Nordic centre, site of the 1988 Olympics and multiple World Cup mountain bike races, before descending onto the Main Street in Canmore for a finish line party like no other.

“We are thrilled that the TransRockies is coming back to Alberta,” said Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady. “Participants will experience firsthand the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies in Kananaskis Country plus Alberta's famous western hospitality and culture along the way. Worldwide media coverage of this epic event is sure to attract more adventure seekers from around the world to Alberta.”